#paddy land exclusion

The Kerala High Court has ruled that authorised officers under the Paddy Land Rules cannot delegate their statutory duty to evaluate land suitability for paddy cultivation as of the critical date-12.08.2008-by merely relying on Agricultural Officer reports. This mandates a direct, independent analysis of land character and potential impact on surrounding paddy fields, reinforcing procedural fairness in land use decisions affecting farmers and developers alike.

The Kerala High Court has held that approving any change in paddy land use under the 2008 Rules requires a mandatory satellite imagery report from the Kerala State Remote Sensing and Environment Centre. Failure to obtain this report vitiates the order, reinforcing that statutory compliance is non-negotiable and affects farmers, developers, and revenue authorities alike.